Remote control system



May 6, 1941.

M. RIGERT REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 10, 1959 I! l I000 00a 50 0 o L 7 a 5 Patented May 6, 1941 tlhliihfi S ih'i'hg PATENT REMOTE CONTRQL SYSTEIW Application June 10, 1939, Serial No. 278,575

7 Jlaims.

This invention relates in general to improvements in signaling systems and more particularly to means for supervising and controlling the operation of apparatus and circuits operating at high voltages.

In the operation of high voltage apparatus and circuits, it is generally necessary to utilize signaling circuits for transmitting indications or control signal impulses between circuits associated with high voltage equipment and low voltage circuits which are accessible to the operator in charge thereof. To permit the transmission of such signals without any possibility of danger to human life, it is preferable to utilize a signaling system comprising sending and receiving equipment interconnected through light sources and associated light sensitive devices so as to remove all physical contact between the sending and receiving ends of the system. Vfhen signal impulses have to be transmitted from a common point to a large number of circuits, the use of a separate light source and a separate light sensitive device for each circuit renders the system excessively expensive and complicated. It is therefore preferable to connect the circuits over which signals are to be transmitted to a selector switch and to control the actuation of the switch by means of a source of light which may be focused toward different points.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a signaling system by means of which signals may be transmitted to a plurality of circuits through an optical system common to all the circuits.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a signaling system by means of which a selector switch may be actuated to different operating positions under the control of an optical system.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparent from the following description vhen read in connection with the accompanying drawin which diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment of the invention applied to the control of a high voltage circuit breaker.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, reference numeral designates a high voltage alternating current circuit adapted to be energized from a generator I through a transformer 8 and a circuit breaker 9. Circuit 5 is assumed to be operable at such high voltage that the transmission of control impulses to the operating means of circuit breaker 9, for example, is di cult to effect in a manner which avoids all danger to human life. The transmission of such control impulses and of any other signals required for the supervision of circuit 6 is accordingly obtained by means comprising a selector switch If adapted to be moved into any desired plurality of operating positions to selec tively control a plurality of circuits. Switch H may be placed in a rest position marked Zero and in a plurality of operating positions marked 1 to 11 but it will be understood that the switch may be provided with any other number of operating positions. Switch I I may be moved into the different positions thereof by means of a motor I2 energized from a suitable source of electric current such as a battery l3.

Motor I2 is controlled by means of a positioning system comprising a source of light such as an incandescent lamp I l and a light sensitive device i5. Device It may be of any suitable known type such as the so-called selenium cell and the photovoltaic cell, but is preferably of the space discharge type known as phototube. Such phototube comprises essentially a glass bulb containing two electrodes separated by a space having a conductivity depending on the degree of illumination of the tube. Lamp M is provided with a suitable optical system such as a lens l6 whereby the light produced by the lamp may be projected as a beam. The position of the beam may be made variable by mounting lamp l4 and lens it eccentrically on the shaft I! of a position selector M. It will be understood, however, that the same result may be obtained by mounting only the lens or some other optical element controlling the beam on the shaft of the selector.

Selector l8 comprises a dial I9 marked with a rest position and difierent operating positions corresponding to the rest position and to the operating positions of switch II. The positions of the selector are indicated on the dial by a pointer 2! mounted on shaft H. The angular position of the shaft may be adjusted by suitable means such as a handle 22'. Shaft l1 carries a plurality of slip rings 23, 24, 25 insulated therefrom. Slip rings 2 and 25 and the associated brushes cooperate to control the connection of lamp M with a suitable source of current such as a battery 25. Slip rings 23, 24 and the associated brushes likewise cooperate to control the connection of battery 26 with a second light source such as a lamp 2? arranged to project a beam of light of fixed position. Slip ring 2% is interrupted at one point thereof to open the connections of lamps 2! and 28 with battery 26 and thus render the lamps operative only upon movement of selector 68 away from the rest position thereof. Battery 23 may be connected with a third light source such as a lamp 28 through a push button switch 29.

Phototube I may be mounted on the shaft of switch II to be moved by motor I2 through different positions corresponding to the positions desired for switch I I. Lamp I4 and phototube I5 are so disposed that the beam of light projected by lamp I4 impinges on phototube I5 only when selector I8 and switch II are in corresponding positions. It will be understood that such result may also be obtained by leaving the phototube stationary and by providing the shaft of switch H with a suitable optical system directing the beam toward the phototube. The phototube may be shielded from light emitted by sources other than lamp I4 by means of a hood 3|.

The variations in the conductivity'of phototube I5 in response to the position of the beam of light projected from lamp I4 are utilized to control the energization of a relay 32 controlling the connection of motor I2 with battery I3. Phototube I5 and relay 32 may be connected in any suitable known manner as, for example, through an electronic relay comprising a transformer 33 energized from generator I. The coil of relay 32 is connected between one terminal and a tap of the secondary winding of transformer 33 through a valve'34 of the three electrode high vacuum type. Phototube I5 is connected between the anode and the grid of valve 34 through slip rings 35 and 36, and a capacitor 3! is connected between the grid of the valve and the other secondary terminal of transformer 33. A capacitor 38 is preferably connected in parallel with the coil of relay 32 to render the flow of current therethrough more uniform.

Starting of motor I2 is controlled by means comprising a relay 39 operable to close the contacts thereof upon impingement of the beam of light projected by lamp 2! on a second phototube 4I. one secondary terminal and the secondary tap of transformer 33 through a valve 42 similar to valve 34. Phototube M is connected between the anode and the grid of valve 42 and a capacitor 43 is connected between the grid of valve 42 and the other secondary terminal of transformer 33. A capacitor 44 is preferably connected in parallel with the coil of relay 39. The contacts of relay 39 may be short circuited by a circuit comprising slip rings 45 and 46 of switch II only when switch Ii is moved away from the rest position thereof.

All the circuits controlled by switch II are adapted to be energized from battery I3 through switch II and through the contacts of a common relay 4! adapted to complete any circuit selected by switch II. Relay 41 is operable to close the contacts thereof upon impingement of the beam of light projected from lamp 28 on a third phototube 43. Relay 4! is connected with transformer 33 through connections similar to those of relay 39 and comprising a valve 43 and capacitors 3! and 52. To simplify the drawing the circuits controlled by switch II have been omitted therein except a pair of circuits adapted to be selected by switch I I to control different operations of a relay 53. One circuit comprises battery I3, the contacts of relay 4?, switch II when actuated to position 4, the coil of relay 53 and a current limiting resistor 54. The other circuit comprises battery I3, the contacts of relay 4;, switch I I when actuated to position 5 thereof and resistor 54. Relay 53 is provided with holding contacts and with two other sets of contacts for connecting the closing coil 56 and the trip coil 5'! of circuit breaker 9 with battery I3. It will be observed that'selector I8 and push button switch 29, which control the operation of circuit breaker 9, are without physical contact with any circuit associated with closing coil 56 and trip coil 57, so that the operation of the selector and of the push button is without danger to the life of the operator even if a defect should develop in the insulation between circuit 6 and coils 5S and 51.

When the elements of the system are in the position shown in the drawing, lamps I4, 21 and 2B are without current. Phototube I5 is not illuminat'e-d and is substantially non-conductive. Transformer 33 then charges capacitor 31 through the grid and the cathode of valve 34, and the charge taken by the capacitor is such as to maintain the grid of'valve 34 at a negative potential with respect to the cathode potential at least when the associated anode is at a positive potential with respect to the cathode. Valve 34 is thus maintained substantially non-conductive for the flow of current between the anode and the cathode thereof. Valves 42 and 49 are likewise maintained non-conductive when phototubes 4i and 48 are not illuminated.

When it is desired to close circuit breaker 9,

" the shaft of selector I3 ismoved to position numaway from phototube I5, which is still in the The coil of relay 39 is connected with former 33 to the coil of relay 39 through valve 42.

. grid of valve 42. the grid of valve 42 is able to reach a positive rest position thereof. Lamp 21 illuminates phototube M which then provides a materially conductive connection between the anode and the Capacitor 43 discharges and potential when the associated anode is at a positive potential with respect to the cathode. Valve 42 is thus rendered conductive and a pulsating current is transmitted from trans- Relay 39 thus closes its contacts in response to movement of selector I8 away from the rest posi: tion thereof to connect motor I2 with battery I3. Motor I2 drives the shaft of switch II in the clockwise direction of rotation, for example.

When switch II reaches position 4 thereof, phototube I5 intercepts the beam of light projected from lamp I4. Phototube I5 becomes materially conductive and causes operation of re lay 32 in the manner above described with respect to relay 39. Relay 32 opens the contacts thereof and thereby causes motor I2 to stop in response to impingement of the beam of light projected from lamp I4 on phototube I5. Switch II accordingly remains in position 4 thereof. The operator may then momentarily close pushbutton switch 29 to connect lamp 28 with battery 23. becomes conductive and causes operation of relay 4? in the manner above described with respect to relay 39. Relay 4?, which is operable to complete any of the circuits controlled by switch II subject to insertion of the switch circuit breaker to close.

Lamp 28 illuminates phototube 4a which" holding contacts thereof, thereby maintaining its coil and lamp 55 energized independently of relay 4'! and of switch H. Push button switch 29 may then be allowed to reopen and selector I8 is preferably returned to the rest position thereof.

Lamps I4, 21 and 28 are then all disconnected from battery 2% and relays 32, 39 and 41 returned to the position shown in response thereto. Motor I2 is then connected with battery l3 through the contacts of relay 32 and through slip rings 45 and 16. Motor [2 therefore moves switch H away from position 4 thereof. When switch I I returns to the rest position the circuit of motor 12 is interrupted at slip ring 46 and motor [2 stops, leaving switch I I in the rest position.

When it is desired to cause circuit breaker 9 to open, selector I8 is moved into position thereof. Motor I2 is started in response thereto to brin switch H into position 5 and relay 4! is caused to momentarily close its contacts in the manner above described. Relay 4! and switch H in position 5 short circuit the coil of relay 53. Relay 53 returns to the position shown, thereby connecting trip coil 51 with battery l3. The trip coil withdraws the latch of circuit breaker 9 whichis caused to open. Upon return of relay 41 to the position shown signal lamp 55 is disconnected from battery l3. Switch H is then preferably returned to the rest position thereof in the manner above described. The transmission of signal and control impulses to other circuits controlled by switch ll would be eifected in the manner outlined above.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to Patent:

1. A control system comprising a pair of members each movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source mounted on one of said members, a light sensitive device mounted on the other one of said members and so arranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating one of said members, means for starting said motor, and means responsive to illusecure by Letters mination of said light sensitive device by said source for stop-ping said' motor.

2. A control system comprising a pair of members each movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source mounted on one of said members, a light sensitive device mounted on the other one of said members and so arranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating one of said members, means for starting said motor, means responsive to movement of said motor actuated member out of said rest position thereof for maintaining said motor operative, and means responsive to illumination of said light sensitive device by said source for stopping said motor.

3. A control system comprising a first member movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source mounted on said member, a second member movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light sensitive device mounted on said second member and so arranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating said second member, means responsive to actuation of said first member out of said rest position thereof to start said motor, means responsive to actuation of said second member out of said rest position thereof for maintaining said motor operative, and means responsive to illumination of said light sensitive device by said source for stopping said motor.

4. A control system comprising a first member movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source mounted on said member, a second member movable from a rest position into a'plurality of operating positions, 2. light sensitive device mounted on said second member and so arranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating said second member, means comprising a second light source and a second light sensitive device responsive to actuation of said first member out of said rest position thereof to start said motor, means responsive to actuation of said second member out of said rest position thereof for maintaining said motor operative, and means responsive to illumination of the first said light sensitive device by the first said source for stopping said motor.

5. A control system comprising a pair of members each movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source, a light sensitive device soarranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating one of said members, means for energizing said motor when said members are in non-corresponding positions, and means for deenergizing said motor comprising means responsive to illumination of said device from said source and means responsive to movement of both said members into their respective said rest positions.

6. A control system comprising a pair of members each movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source, a light sensitive device so arranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating one of said members, means responsive to actuation of the other one of said members out of said rest position thereof to start said motor and to render said source operative, and means responsive to illumination of said light sensitive device by said source for stopping said motor.

7. A control system comprising a pair of members each movable from a rest position into a plurality of operating positions, a light source, a light sensitive device so arranged as to be illuminated by said source only when said members are in corresponding operating positions, a motor for actuating one of said members, means for energizing said motor when said members are in non-corresponding positions, means for deenergizing said motor when said members are in corresponding ones of said operating positions comprising means responsive to illumination of said device from said source, and means for deenergizing said motor when said members are in said rest positions comprising means for rendering said source inoperative.

MAX RIGERT. 

